12 February 2011 – Tonight The King Blues played The Garage as part of the HMV Next Big Thing shows.

Anyone who reads this blog knows that The Garage is my worst venue to shoot at because the lighting is normally always terrible, the stage is high, the pit is small and the back wall is really close so atmosphere from the pit isn’t the greatest and I have never been a fan of shooting chins. Tonight was different though because the lighting seemed a bit better but regardless it would have been worth making it down to see the guys play.

They’re really great live and I always feel a part of a family when they do their thing … a lot of positive energy flowing in the crowd.

There have been a few line-up changes since I shot / saw them live but it seems like all the members feel each other and they are tight together so it must be a good thing. They also played a bunch of new stuff from their up-coming album and it’s great to hear them step it up yet again.

Make sure to check out The King Blues and get their album as it comes out. They deserve the support.

30 March 2010 – Tonight I photographed The Automatic and it was one of those nights where I didn’t really expect too much and the night turned out amazingly.

I first time I heard about these guys was in 2007 when they played at Give It A Name and their live show was incredible and I remember going from the venue to HMV on the way home to buy their album. I know that one of the big draw cards for me then was their member Alex Pennie who has since moved on and even though I really like the new recorded material, I was really worried that their live show would be flat and possibly boring. I didn’t need to worry because Paul Mullen has taken his place and does an amazing job and the band as a whole seem to fit comfortably together and really seem to be experimenting and pushing themselves more.

Unfortunately the venue was quite empty but it turned out to be one of those nights where I didn’t really expect too much and left really content. Definitely going to be listening to the new album a lot more.

As always the lighting at The Garage shouldn’t even be considered lighting. I almost hate shooting there just because I hate not having a chance of shooting anything worthwhile but I tried my best. I wish they could figure out how to focus the lights on the artists and less on the crowd or introduce the usage of flash to accommodate or something. Haha. I really pushed my camera here the most that I have before but it’s not ideal and I don’t like doing that. Also, most of the light was on stage left (my left) so I just concentrated on that.

Check out The Automatic, they are good at what they do and they have a good time doing it.

08 February 2010 – My highlight for tonight was thanks to Young Guns and I have really loved witnessing their use of talent lately.

They really have something going for them and it’s a pleasure to just watch them do what they do. I keep saying it but it really is. Today marked the start of their recording process for their debut full length album which is one of the most exciting projects that I am looking forward to. I have a feeling these guys are going to explode, I really hope they do.

As I said in the previous post, the lighting sucked tonight and I am not sure why they don’t do something about it at The Garage. Every photographer I have spoken to agrees with me and it just never gets better. Normally I argue with the security and they break to allow me to use flash to fill in and get some detail but today no one was having it. Sadly. So these are a few shots that are alright. Pity.

08 February 2010 – Tonight the first band on the bill was This City and I have been excited to see them again since the last time I shot them.

The band have had 2 recent lineup changes and if I am not mistaken tonight was their first gig with the new members. Initially the new guys seemed slightly nervous but this eased and changed after 2 songs which is good to see. Their stuff is catchy and easy to tap along to.

Unfortunately the lighting at The Garage sucks as always. I hate it. Haha. These are few of the shots that I like.

27 October 2009 – The surprise band for me for the night had to be the guys from Failsafe as I had heard quite a bit about them but never really heard them and then they came out and just grabbed my attention from the start.

I really don’t like comparing bands because it’s really hard but they had a bit of Rise Against and a bit of Hot Water Music in their stuff and those are two of my favourite all time bands so it felt natural to open my ears and give them a good listen. I really enjoyed this one and have added their album to my wish list because I think it will be a good one. I just love how much energy each member had, that’s my essential show maker. Haha.

Check them out.

Currently listening to : The Clash – Career Opportunities.

27 October 2009 – Last week I discovered This City after stumbling across their music video for We Move and I really got excited to see them live.

Tonight after a day of car troubles they made it to the venue in time for a set that I really enjoyed. I was supposed to shoot a few portraits with them before the show but we changed plans because they arrived a little later after their breakdown but I did shoot a few live shots of their set. I really like these guys for some reason. They remind me of a few bands that I have liked over the years and it seems as though they have combined some of the elements that I enjoy. I just got a copy of the album which I look forward to rocking tomorrow and hopefully it’s as good as I am expecting.

Lights still sucked and I battled to move in the pit because of it being small and full and me trying to avoid getting in the filmers way. For this reason most of the photos are of Chris and Grant. I look forward to seeing them again in December when they support A on their UK tour.

Currently listening to : City and Colour – What Makes a Man?

27 October 2009 – Tonight I shot a few photos of the guys from The King Blues and this was the second time that I had seen them play.

They last time was when they opened for Rise Against earlier this year and I have to say that I didn’t really pay attention because I was DYING to see the main act but tonight was different as they were the main act. I don’t really feel the music that much but I appreciate what the guys are doing and the crowd loved it which is the most important thing. The band does seem to give it their all and I like the fact that they really write about and follow up on what they believe.

The lighting tonight was really crap and the other photographers ended up complaining to the venue management so they dropped the “no flash” rule which made it a bit better but for some reason this is my worst venue to photograph at. I think it is a mix up of the high stage, small pit, small stage, terrible lighting, tons of smoke and a few other things.

Anyway, these are a few of the shots I don’t hate. Haha. Will post more of the other bands in a bit.

Currently listening to : Metric – Gimme Sympathy.